With my family’s busy weeknights, I often turn to easy paleo slow cooker meals – like this Crock Pot sausage and peppers recipe. With just 10 minutes prep and virtually no effort at all, easy slow cooker sausage recipes like this make dinner a breeze. And, Crock Pot sausage, peppers and onions make my whole family happy – even the kids, and even me with my preference toward low carb meals! This slow cooker sausage and peppers recipe is naturally paleo, low carb and keto friendly, but everyone else will enjoy it, too.
I love the ‘set it and forget it’ hands off nature of using the slow cooker. For this dish, you do need to give the sausages a quick browning in a skillet, but that takes all of 5 minutes and you can do it while you’re slicing up the peppers and onions. This recipe for Crock Pot sausages with peppers and onions comes together really quickly!
We make this dish pretty regularly and I think it’s one of the best slow cooker sausage recipes out there.
Is This Crock Pot Sausage And Peppers Recipe Paleo?
Yes. Provided you choose a brand of sausage that is paleo, everything in this recipe is suitable for a paleo diet.
What Kind of Sausages For This Slow Cooker Sausage Recipe?
I used kielbasa for these Crock Pot sausage and peppers. But, you can also make these as a slow cooker Italian sausage recipe instead. Any kind of sausage you like will work.
No matter what kind you use, I’m pretty sure this will become one of your new favorite sausage Crock Pot recipes!
Can You Put Raw Sausages In A Crock Pot?
Technically yes, you can put raw sausages in a Crock Pot for most slow cooker sausage recipes.
The one downside though is that they won’t look anywhere near as appetizing, and have a bit less flavor without the browning.
Unless you are in a crazy hurry, I’d recommend taking the few minutes it takes to brown your sausages in a skillet first. It’s such a quick thing to do and can be done in the time it takes to prep the veggies.
How To Make Crock Pot Sausage And Peppers
The beauty of this dish is that it requires next to no prep time. Ten minutes and you’re good to go!
You need just 3 easy steps:
- Saute the sausages in a pan to get them nice and brown. Don’t skip this step! It adds so much flavor.
- Place the sausages, peppers and onions into the slow cooker. I usually chop the veggies while the sausages are browning, throw them in the Crock Pot, then add the sausages on top.
- Leave your Crock Pot sausages, peppers and onions to work their magic. The slow cooker will do its thing for 5-6 hours on Low without you having to lift a finger.
Can You Make Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers Without Onions?
Of course you can. Personally, I love onions and use them in so many dishes – but if onions really aren’t your thing then feel free to leave them out. It might not taste quite as rich and sweet without them, but will still taste delicious.
My husband adores this Crock Pot sausage and onions recipe served with a quick marinara sauce. To make the sauce, simply heat up a little olive oil and toast Italian seasoning for a few seconds before adding crushed tomatoes. Of course, you can also use store-bought marinara, which is about the same price as crushed tomatoes.
Any leftover slow cooker sausages are especially delicious for breakfast in an omelette or with a simple poached egg on top!
Can You Freeze Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers?
Yes, you can freeze Crock Pot sausage, peppers and onions. If there are any leftovers – or you make a double batch – slow cooker sausage and peppers is a perfect recipe to freeze.
I freeze mine in sealed freezer bags in individual portions, so that it can be thawed out and reheated in the oven as needed. Just thaw out the portions well, then reheat in either the oven or the microwave.
What To Serve With This Sausage and Peppers Crock Pot Recipe
I often pair these slow cooker sausages and peppers with other favorite make ahead recipes:
- Rosemary Roasted Root Vegetables – this recipe can be made ahead and then reheated.
- Maple Glazed Carrots are another great idea for rich and earthy flavor.
Sausages in a slow cooker also pair well with a salad, so try one of my paleo salad recipes for dinner.
Crock Pot Sausage, Peppers And Onions Recipe:
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RECIPE CARD
Easy Crock Pot Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers Recipe
An EASY slow cooker sausage and peppers recipe! Low carb, paleo, healthy but hearty. These 10-minute prep Crock Pot sausage and peppers make one of the BEST slow cooker sausage recipes.
Recipe Video
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Ingredients
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Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
- 1.5 pounds Kielbasa sausages (about 8 sausages)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (lard, ghee and avocado oil can also be used)
- 3 medium Bell peppers (sliced - I used one yellow, one red, and one green)
- 2 medium White onions (sliced)
Marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 8 ounces Crushed tomatoes
- Sea salt (to taste)
Instructions
More TIPS about this paleo recipe in the post above!
Melt the fat in a large skillet over high heat. Brown the sausages for 1-2 minutes per side.
Slice the peppers and onions and place in the bottom of the slow cooker. Season lightly with sea salt. Top with browned sausages.
Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 5-6 hours.
- Make the marinara by heating the olive oil of medium low heat. Stir in the Italian seasoning and toast for just a few seconds. Stir in the tomatoes and simmer until hot. Season with salt to taste.
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 sausage with peppers (1/8 of entire recipe)
Video Showing How To Make Slow Cooker Sausage And Peppers:
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Nutrition Information Per Serving
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database. Net carb count excludes both fiber and sugar alcohols (though the latter are rarely seen on this site), because these do not affect blood sugar in most people. We try to be accurate, but feel free to make your own calculations.
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24 Comments
Robin
My sausages made in crockpot on low foe 6.5 hours are always too salty.I did not add any salt to the crock. I used fresh Roma tomatoes garden bell peppers and white onions. Seasoned with black pepper and garlic and onion powder. And a little bit of Italian seasoning. What went wrong????
Sherri
I always make these in Crock-Pot however, I never Brown my sausage. Instead, I toss the sausage links into the crock pot uncooked. Once everything is done, the sausage links are so tender you could cut them with a plastic spoon. I do not find that they lose any flavor and everywhere I bring this dish, it is usually the first todisappear. Love sausage and peppers!
Sherri
I actually much prefer skipping the browning of sausage and just placing the links directly into the crock pot. I have discovered that doing this makes for super tender sausage pieces, and I don’t feel as if a bit if flavor is missing. So good, and everyone who’s had it just loves it…..almost the first thing to go at every potluck I bring it to
Ashley
If I cut the recipe to serve 4 would the cooking time be the same. Can I do this in a 4 quart slow cooker.
Lauren
Hi Ashley, Yes, I think it should be the same.
Helaine
Have you ever cooked it on high for less hours?
Susan Green
I have made this with mild Italian sausage and add white wine to veggies! Eat on hogie roll with spicy mustard! It’s delicious!
Carol
I have not made this yet but wanted to write to say that it is on the menu for this week!
What a delicious combination of ingredients. Love Kielbassa and these flavours!
It’s still very cool here so it’s going to be a perfect warming dinner!
Linda
I always enjoy an easy recipe like this. It’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners or a gathering.
Yang
I have never made sausages with marinara sauce. What do you do with the sauce? Do you dip your sausage in it to eat?
Lauren
Hi Yang, Yes, exactly!
Renee Kohley
This was such an easy weeknight dinner -thank you!
Tessa Simpson
Quick and easy with loads of flavor! Thanks!
Paul
Wow. I never would have thought you could do this in the crockpot. This makes it so easy! LOVE this idea.
Kelly
This recipe is so easy, and so delicious. That’s a win win in my book!
Jean
Such an easy but flavorful recipe! I love peppers and sausages are amazing together, so this is amazing.
Joni Gomes
The German girl in me is screaming yaaaaas to this! Sausages and pepper are a match made in heaven!
Norma
I’m unsure about the kielbasa. I buy sausage that is smoked and have to be simmered for a short time. Are yours fully cooked when you buy them? Are they similar to the Hillshire brand? Any input would be truly appreciated! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Lauren
Hi Norma, My sausages were fully cooked but it doesn’t matter. If your sausages are uncooked, the slow cooker will cook them.
Nye
Do you add the marinara sauce before you start the crock pot or after?
Lauren
Hi Nye, the marinara never goes into the slow cooker. It’s used as a dipping sauce afterwards. If you’d like to add it to the slow cooker I’d add it in in the last hour of cooking.
carloman
Is that Garlic Chili Sauce?
Lauren
Nope, it’s marinara.
Kim
I love this crock pot version of an Italian classic. It’s delicious!